LINCOLN, Neb. — For maximum groups that come into Memorial Stadium, beating Nebraska doesn’t imply up to it used to bearing in mind the Cornhuskers’ fall from the higher echelon of school soccer the final twenty years.
You couldn’t inform that to Illinois trainer Lovie Smith after his crew left Lincoln with a 41-23 win Saturday.
“You can imagine what our locker room was like,” Smith stated. “I’m told we haven’t won in Lincoln since 1924 when Red Grange played. Whenever something like that happens, it’s a big deal.”
Brandon Peters threw for one landing and ran for some other in his first sport in just about a month, Illinois had two rushers cross over 100 yards, and the Illini beat the turnover-plagued Huskers for his or her 2nd directly win.
The Cornhuskers gained at Illinois final 12 months in spite of committing 4 turnovers. They couldn’t live to tell the tale 5, despite the fact that.
“I didn’t see this coming,” Nebraska trainer Scott Frost stated. “I was embarrassed by our level of execution in all three phases. I didn’t think we had the juice we had last week. It’s almost like our team thought you win one game, you’re good. That’s not how it works.”
Luke McCaffrey, making his 2nd get started at quarterback, dedicated the primary of his 4 turnovers at the first play from scrimmage. Wan’Dale Robinson fumbled because the Huskers (1-3, 1-3 Big Ten) attempted to return again in the second one half of.
Illinois (2-3, 2-3) led 28-10 after two quarters, their maximum first-half issues in opposition to a convention opponent in 10 years, and gained its 2nd highway sport in as many weeks.
Peters, who were out since Oct. 24 on account of a COVID-19 outbreak at the crew, confirmed no rust in main a balanced Illini offense that had 285 yards dashing and 205 passing.
Nebraska entered the sport as a 16-point favourite and bumped into bother instantly.
McCaffrey ran four yards at the first snap and flung the ball into the turf — what was once dominated a lateral as a substitute of an unlawful ahead move — and Illini linebacker Jake Hansen recovered on the 21.
Chase Brown, who ran for 110 yards on 26 carries, scored the primary of his two touchdowns 3 performs later.
Peters threw to Josh Imatorbhebhe for a 28-yard landing for a 21-7 lead after Tarique Barnes intercepted a scrambling McCaffrey’s desperation throw alongside the sideline.
Illinois added to the lead on Mike Epstein’s 1-yard run two performs after he broke a 58-yarder down the sideline. Epstein completed with 113 yards on 13 carries.
McCaffrey ran 26 instances for 122 yards, each occupation highs, and threw for 2 touchdowns. But he couldn’t triumph over all the ones turnovers.
“The number one thing is you can’t turn the ball over,” he stated. “I did that too many times today. That’s why the scoreboard looked the way it did.”
THE TAKEAWAY
Illinois: Smith’s protection prospers on turnovers, and the Illini performed “Lovie Ball” to the hilt with 5 takeaways. That offers them 13 for the season.
Nebraska: The Huskers flopped per week after beating Penn State for his or her first win. There are some critical rising pains proceeding to occur in 12 months 3 of Frost.
MILLER LEAVES ON STRETCHER
Frost stated the diagnosis seemed excellent for linebacker Collin Miller, who was once taken off the sector on a stretcher with about 12 mins to play. He gave the impression to had been harm creating a take on.
“Cautiously optimistic everything looks good,” Frost stated. “He has feeling everywhere. The preliminary exam looks pretty good.”
Medical workforce tended to Miller for a number of mins close to the south finish zone as gamers from each groups took a knee. He was once strapped to a backboard and brought out of the stadium.
THANKS FOR PLAYING
Nebraska officers love to boast that they led the fee to bringing again soccer after the Big Ten…